Research focus

​We investigate the basic mechanisms causing Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease starting from the genetic forms of these disorders. For Alzheimer’s disease we focus on the secretases which are proteases that cleave the amyloid peptide from the amyloid precursor protein. The amyloid peptide is the main constituent of the plaques in the brain of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The secretases are not only important drug targets, but they are also involved in the regulation of important signaling processes most notoriously Notch signaling.

For Parkinson’s disease we investigate the effect of mutations in the genes Pink1, Lrrk2 and Parl-1 on brain function.

We use in all our work transgenic approaches primary cultures of neurons and biochemistry, sophisticated imaging and molecular biology to address our questions. We are also strongly committed to collaboration with industry to generate novel drugs for these devastating disorders.https://corefacilities.vib.be/​​​

27/07/2017 - For decades researches have been investigating the underlying foundations of Alzheimer’s disease to provide clues for the design of a successful therapy. VIB-KU Leuven scientists have published breakthrough insights in the prestigious journal Cell.

17/05/2016 - According to Bart De Strooper (VIB/KU Leuven), it is unlikely that molecular genetics or molecular cell biology will continue to broaden our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) the way it has done over the last twenty years.

14/10/2015 - ​A research team led by Amantha Thathiah (VIB/KU Leuven) has determined that a protein – known as GPR3 – might play an important role in alleviating the cognitive deficits and reducing the generation of ‘amyloid plaques’.

29/09/2015 - The team of Roosmarijn Vandenbroucke in the Claude Libert Group (VIB/UGent) combined their knowledge and expertise related to inflammation with the expertise in Alzheimer’s disease present in the Bart De Strooper Group (VIB/KU Leuven).

14/09/2015 - ​BACE1 is the major drug target for Alzheimer’s disease. Soraia Barão and Bart De Strooper (VIB/KU Leuven) now show that this protease is critically involved in axonal guidance processes in thalamic and hippocampal neurons.

06/11/2014 - ​Disappointing results in clinical Alzheimer’s studies discourage scientists from continuing their research. Alzheimer’s expert Bart De Strooper argues that these studies are not pointless, but merely indicate what the next steps should be.

19/08/2014 - A new by VIB/KU Leuven scientists gives new knowledge about the regulation of stem cells in the nerve tissue of zebrafish embryos results in surprising insights into neurodegenerative disease processes in the human brain.

14/12/2012 - Until now, it was not clearly understood how LRRK2 regulated synaptic function necessary in the treatment of Parkinson’s. This situation has now been remedied by Samer Matta from the Bart De Strooper lab, in collaboration with the Patrik Verstreken lab.

18/11/2010 - VIB researchers Peter Carmeliet and Bart De Strooper have both been awarded Advanced Grants from the European Research Council. ERC Advanced Grants are the most prestigious European research grants, spanning a period of 5 years.

19/04/2009 - VIB scientists connected to the K.U.Leuven have identified a molecule that can form the basis for a new therapy for Alzheimer’s disease. This is the first step toward a medicine that could actually stop the progress of Alzheimer’s.

12/02/2009 - VIB scientists connected to the Center for Human Genetics (K.U.Leuven) have demonstrated that a particular protein is extremely well suited to be a target for a new medicine against Alzheimer’s disease.

29/02/2008 - Bart De Strooper (VIB, K.U.Leuven) has been playing a prominent role in researching the processes that underlie Alzheimer's disease and now he receives the MetLife Foundation’s USD 200,000 Alzheimer Prize.

14/07/2006 - Scientists have now discovered the function of the PARL protein. By studying mice that are unable to produce PARL, the researchers have discovered the significance of this protein in controlled cell death